Tesla has begun high-volume production of its long-delayed Semi electric truck, promising a 500-mile range for long-haul operators. The launch matters because electric lorries could reduce fuel costs and emissions, but widespread adoption in the United States remains constrained by high prices and inadequate charging infrastructure.

The long-range model is expected to cover about the daily distance travelled by US long-haul drivers, while a standard version should reach 325 miles; competing trucks offer roughly 155–430 miles. Electric semis can cost two to three times more than diesel models and require specialised megawatt chargers, of which Tesla currently has only two publicly operating in the Los Angeles area, although it plans 30 by year-end. A 2,500-truck order from companies including Microsoft and PepsiCo could nearly double the number of heavy-duty electric trucks on US roads, while rising diesel prices may improve the economics of switching.